Analysis of Quran Education Problems in Majority Muslim Countries

Authors

  • Engkizar Engkizar Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
  • Azhar Jaafar UCYP University, Malaysia
  • Debi Sarianto Al-Azhar University, Egypt
  • Nahid Ayad University of Zawia, Libiya
  • Achyar Rahman Al-Ahgaff University, Yemen
  • Afifah Febriani Senior Researcher International Islamic Studies Development and Research Center, Indonesia
  • Gifa Oktavia Senior Researcher International Islamic Studies Development and Research Center, Indonesia
  • Rosi Guspita Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol Padang, Indonesia
  • Ikhwan Rahman Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol Padang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v3i1.209

Keywords:

Quran teacher career, Quran teacher phenomenon, Quran education, Quran scholars

Abstract

Quranic education is a crucial aspect of shaping the identity and values of Muslim societies. However, Muslim-majority countries face various challenges in providing high-quality Quranic education. This study aims to analyze the problems related to Quranic education in these countries. The research employed a qualitative method with a case study approach in several majority-Muslim countries. Data were collected through interviews with Quranic education experts, teachers, and students, as well as through document and literature analysis. All data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman's interactive analysis technique with NVivo 12 software. The research findings indicate that the challenges in Quranic education include the absence of legislation governing the Quranic teaching profession, limited availability of qualified teachers, low competence in instructional management, the fact that not all Quran teachers possess a bachelor's degree in Quranic education, insufficient professional development due to a lack of continuous training, the profession's lack of appeal to Islamic scholars because it does not promise a future career, and inadequate teacher compensation. The findings underscore the importance of implementing systematic and strategic improvements to enhance the quality of Quranic education.

References

Abdalla, M., Chown, D., & Memon, N. (2022). Islamic Studies in Australian Islamic schools: educator voice. Journal of Religious Education, 70(1), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40839-022-00164-y

Abdallah, A., Rahem, M. A., & Pasqualone, A. (2021). The multiplicity of halal standards: a case study of application to slaughterhouses. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-021-00084-6

Abu-Nimer, M., & Nasser, I. (2023). Considerations in education for forgiveness and reconciliation: lessons from Arab and Muslim majority contexts. Journal of Peace Education, 20(1), 30–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/17400201.2022.2140648

Abukari, A. (2014). Education of women in Islam: A critical Islamic interpretation of the Quran. Religious Education, 109(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2014.868203

Akbar, J., Gul, M., Jahangir, M., Adnan, M., Saud, S., Hassan, S., Nawaz, T., & Fahad, S. (2023). Global Trends in Halal Food Standards: A Review. Foods, 12(23), 4200. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12234200

Akmal, F., Guspita, R., & Hafis, A. (2024). Principal Management in Improving Infrastructure in Junior High Schools. Khalaqa: Journal of Education and Learning, 2(1), 87–94.

Altinyelken, H. K. (2021). Critical thinking and non-formal Islamic education: Perspectives from young Muslims in the Netherlands. Contemporary Islam, 15(3), 267–285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11562-021-00470-6

Arat, Z. F. K., & Hasan, A. (2018). Muslim masculinities: what is the prescription of the Qur’an?. Journal of Gender Studies, 27(7), 788–801. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2017.1316246

Ashraf, M. A., Tsegay, S. M., & Ning, J. (2021). Teaching global citizenship in a muslim-majority country: Perspectives of teachers from the religious, national, and international education sectors in pakistan. Religions, 12(5), 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12050348

Babajani-Vafsi, S., Nouri, J. M., Ebadi, A., & Zolfaghari, M. (2019). Factors influencing the participation of nurses in knowledge-sharing within mobile instant messaging based virtual communities of practice: a qualitative content analysis. Advances in Medical EducatBabajani-Vafsi, S., Mokhtari Nouri, J., Ebadi, A., & Zolfaghari, M. (n.d.). Factors Influencing The Participation Of Nurses In Knowledge-Sharing Within Mobile Instant Messaging Based Virtual Communities Of Practice: A Qualitative, 10, 897–905. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S222779

Barlas, A. (2022). Developing a dialogue between Muslim and Catholic educators: overcoming the stereotypes of the past. International Studies in Catholic Education, 14(1), 54–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2021.1942683

Bashith, A., Mkumbachi, R. L., Yunus, M., Amin, S., Sulistiani, D., & Amrullah, A. M. K. (2025). Nexus of economic teaching in religious education: a case study of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2486633. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2486633

Basir, A., Suri, S., Nirwana AN, A., Sholihin, R., & Hayati, H. (2022). relevance of national education goals to the guidance of the Al-Quran and Al-Hadith. Linguistics and Culture Review, 6(S5), 122–137. https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v6ns5.2088

Bazna, M. S., & Hatab, T. A. (2005). Disability in the qur’an: The islamic alternative to defining, viewing, and relating to disability. Journal of Religion, Disability and Health, 9(1), 5–27. https://doi.org/10.1300/J095v09n01_02

Berglund, J., & Gent, B. (2019). Qur’anic education and non-confessional RE: an intercultural perspective. Intercultural Education, 30(3), 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2018.1539305

Blasco-Magraner, J. S., Bernabe-Valero, G., Marín-Liébana, P., & Moret-Tatay, C. (2021). Effects of the educational use of music on 3-to 12-year-old children’s emotional development: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3668 10 3390 18073668. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073668

Boutz, J., Benninger, H., & Lancaster, A. (2019). Exploiting the Prophet’s Authority: How Islamic State Propaganda Uses Hadith Quotation to Assert Legitimacy. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 42(11), 972–996. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2018.1431363

Bright, D., & Poole, A. (2025). Navigating the tensions between international schooling and national goals of education: expatriate teachers and local students in international schools in Vietnam. Educational Review, 77(4), 1175–1192. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2024.2438874

Chaiya, C., & Ahmad, M. M. (2021). Success or failure of the thai higher education development—critical factors in the policy process of quality assurance. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(17), 9486 10 3390 13179486. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179486

Darling-Hammond, L., Schachner, A. C. W., Wojcikiewicz, S. K., & Flook, L. (2024). Educating teachers to enact the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 28(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2022.2130506

Delavari, V., Shaban, E., Janssen, M., & Hassanzadeh, A. (2020). Thematic mapping of cloud computing based on a systematic review: a tertiary study. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 33(1), 161–190. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-02-2019-0034

Diallo, I. (2011). ‘Oh, Lord, Give [me] Knowledge that is meaningful!’ Overview of knowledge and education in the Peul Fuuta community through Qur’anic education. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 6(2), 140–151. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2011.140

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Taufan, M., Rahman, I., Oktavia, G., & Guspita, R. (2023). Quran Teacher: Future Profession or Devotion to the Ummah? International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Higher Education (IJMURHICA, 6(4), 196–210. https://doi.org/10.24036/ijmurhica.v6i4.321

Engkizar, E., Muslim, H., Mulyadi, I., & Putra, Y. A. (2025). Ten Criteria for an Ideal Teacher to Memorize the Quran. Journal of Theory and Research Memorization Quran, 1(1), 26–39. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer

Engkizar, E., Sarianti, Y., Namira, S., Budiman, S., Susanti, H., & Albizar, A. (2022). Five Methods of Quran Memorization in Tahfidz House of Fastabiqul Khairat Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 1(1), 54–67. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v1i1.27

Ezzani, M. D., Brooks, M. C., Yang, L., & Bloom, A. (2023). Islamic school leadership and social justice: an international review of the literature. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 26(5), 745–777. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2021.2009037

Fadhilah, U., Nugroho, K., & Azizah, A. (n.d.). Development of Al-Qur’an Interpretation Research in the Digital Era: Bibliometric Approach with R for Statistical Computing. https://doi.org/10.23917/iseth.4332

Fadhlurrahman, F. U., Darmansyah, M. D. W., & Citra, Y. P. A. (2025). Managing Islamic Endowments (Waqf): Legal Challenges and Strategic Approaches for Sustainable Development. Journal of Islamic Law and Legal Studies, 2(1), 16–25 10 70063 – 2 1 65.

Faqihuddin, A., Firmansyah, M. I., & Muflih, A. (2024). Multisensory Approach in Memorizing the Al-Quran for Early Childhood: Integration of the Tradition of Memorizing the Al-Quran with Digital Technology. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(2), 1289–1302. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.5326

Febriani, A., Sindi, N. F., Amanda, L. G., Rahman, R. A., & Putri, A. R. (2022). Seven Steps of the Implementation of Mind Mapping Method in Learning of Islamic Education. Khalifa: Journal of Islamic Education, 6(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.24036/kjie.v6i1.194

Febriyanti, W., Wahyuddin, W., & Mutmainnah, M. (n.d.). Analysis of Student Errors in Solving Problems on Three-Dimensional Shapes with Flat Surfaces: A Qualitative Study on Eighth-Grade Students. International Journal of Geometry Research and Inventions in Education (Gradient, 1(2), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.56855/gradient.v1i2.1198

Felsenthal, I., & Agbaria, A. (2023). How to Read the Quran in Religious Islamic Education: What Educators Can Learn from the Work of Mohammed Arkoun. Religions, 14(1), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14010129

Fernando, H., Galuh Larasati, Y., Abdullah, I., Jubba, H., Mugni, A., & Persadha, P. D. (2023). The de-existence of Islamic political parties in general elections: A case study of Indonesia as a Muslim-majority country. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1), 2225838. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2225838

Gallop, A. T. (2022). Qur’an manuscripts from Mindanao: collecting histories, art and materiality. South East Asia Research, 30(1), 23–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/0967828X.2021.1895674

Garba, A. S. (2018). The Prospects and Problems of the Marrakesh Declaration on the Rights of Religious Minorities in Muslim Majority Communities. Review of Faith and International Affairs, 16(4), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15570274.2018.1535038

Garrod, B., & Nicholls, S. (2022). British tourists’ adjustment to cultural expectations in Muslim-majority countries. Tourism Management, 91, 104500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2022.104500

Handoko, S. T., Mardiati, Y., Ismail, R., & Imawan, O. R. (2023). Employing Higher Order Thinking Skills-based Instruction in History Course: A History High School Teacher’s Perspective. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2679(1)). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0127631

Hendawi, M., Al Murshidi, G., Asrori, A., Hadi, M. F., Huda, M., & Lovat, T. (n.d.). The development of Islamic education curriculum from the Quranic perspective. Ar-Fachruddin: Journal of Islamic Education, 1(2), 93–123. https://doi.org/10.7401/hms52091

Hoerudin, C. W., Syafruddin, S., Mayasari, A., Arifudin, O., & Lestari, S. (2023). E-Learning as A Learning Media Innovation Islamic Education. QALAMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama, 15(1), 723–734. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v15i1.4466

Iskandar, M. Y., Efendi, E., Putra, D. A., & Halimahturrafiah, N. (n.d.). Digital Technology in Quranic Learning: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 139–154. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer

Istiqamah, R. N., Putra, A. Y., Nasra, A., & Guspita, R. (2024). Learning the Book of Ta’lim Al-Muta’allim at the Islamic Boarding School. Suluah Pasaman, 2(2), 40–50.

Kosim, M., Muqoddam, F., Mubarok, F., & Laila, N. Q. (2023). The dynamics of Islamic education policies in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2172930. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2172930

Machlis, E. (n.d.). Between God and the Party: Fadlallah and the antithetical notion of Hezbollah. Middle Eastern Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2025.2486175

Mahira, M., Hazifa, N., Guspita, R., Zuhri, M., Kamal, M., & Satrial, A. (2024). Implementations of Character Education in Improving the Religious of High School Students. International Journal of Islamic Thought, Research and Practice, 1(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.63061/ijitaripa.v1i1.13

Maidugu, U. A., & Isah, A. T. (n.d.). Islamic Education and its Value: A Vital Means for the Formation National Character. Bulletin of Islamic Research, 2(4), 725–744. https://doi.org/10.69526/bir.v2i4.165

Memon, N. A., Chown, D., & Alkouatli, C. (2021). Descriptions and enactments of Islamic pedagogy: reflections of alumni from an Islamic Teacher Education Programme. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 29(4), 631–649. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2020.1775687

Muhammad. Q. (2024). Analysis Of Differentiated Instruction As A Learning Solution In Student Diversity In Inclusive And Moderate Education Muhammad Qorib Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara. International Journal Of Reglement and Society, 5(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.55357/ijrs.v5i1.452

Mustafa, N. N. B., Elita, R., Guspita, R., & Vanessa, A. D. (2025). Tahfidz Teachers’ Strategies in Improving the Memorization Skills of Slow Learners. Al-Hashif: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pendidikan Islam, 3(1), 12–24.

Mutathahirin, M., Muliati, I., Hasnah, H., & Oktavia, G. (2022). Ten Students’ Motivation in Memorizing Quran: A Case Study at Rumah Quran in Padang Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 1(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v1i1.86

Pandia, W. S. S., Lautzy, O., & Drew, A. (2023). Identifying and solving Islamic religious education challenges for special needs children. Assyfa Journal of Islamic Studies, 1(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.61650/ajis.v1i2.321

Panjwani, F. (2017). No Muslim is just a Muslim: implications for education. Oxford Review of Education, 43(5), 596–611. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2017.1352354

Pervin, N., & Mokhtar, M. (2023). Lifelong learning opportunities for professional women in Bangladesh: to what extent does patriarchy act as a barrier? International Journal of Lifelong Education, 42(5), 451–469. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2023.2238903

Pisani, E., & Buehler, M. (2017). Why do Indonesian politicians promote shari’a laws? An analytic framework for Muslim-majority democracies. Third World Quarterly, 38(3), 734–752. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2016.1206453

Putri, N., Noprianti, A., & Oktavia, G. (2025). The Qur’an as a Source of Solutions for the Global Moral Crisis. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 90–105. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer

Rahman, D., & Akbar, A. R. (2021). Problematika Yang Dihadapi Lembaga Pendidikan Islam Sebagai Tantangan Dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan. Nazzama: Journal of Management Education, 1(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.24252/jme.v1i1.25242

Rahman, I., Kaema, M. T., Nurhapipah, N., Nelwati, S., Sabri, A., & Rahmanda, R. (2024). Systematic Literature Review: Analysis of Project-based Learning Models from Elementary to High School. Al-Ashri: Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman, 9(2), 53–66. https://doi.org/https://ojs.stai-bls.ac.id/index.php/Al-Ashri/article/view/119

Rahman, I., Kustati, M., & Sepriyanti, N. (2024). Sustainable Development: Implementation of The Talqin Method In Memorizing The Quran. Jurnal Kepemimpinan Dan Pengurusan Sekolah, 9(1), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.34125/jkps.v9i1.355

Rahman, I., Nisa, K., & Saputri, R. E. (2020). Seven Students’ Activities: A Case Study on Rumah Tahfidz An-Nur Daily Routine and Memorization Levels. International Journal of …, 3(3), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.24036/ijmurhica.v3i3.184

Romlah, S., Imron, A., Maisyaroh, Sunandar, A., & Dami, Z. A. (2023). A free education policy in Indonesia for equitable access and improvement of the quality of learning. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2245734

Rosidin, R., Handoko, H., & Ma’mun, S. (n.d.). Assessing the feasibility of Malang Raya Mosques in the religious moderation program. Al-Qalam, 30(2), 289–304. https://doi.org/10.31969/alq.v30i2.1537

Sai, Y. (2018). Teaching Qur’an in Irish Muslim schools–curriculum, approaches, perspectives and implications. British Journal of Religious Education, 40(2), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2016.1269723

Saputra, W., Rahman, I., Zulmuqim, Z., Zalnur, M., Triana, N., & Mutathahirin, M. (2023). Islamic Personal Development Activities in shaping the Character of Students in Junior High Schools. Nida Al-Qur’an: Jurnal Pengkajian Islam, 4(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.63061/jpi.v4i2.25

Selim, N., & Abdalla, M. (2022). Exploring Motivation and Engagement: Voices of Adolescent Non-Arab Muslim Learners of Arabic at Australian Islamic Schools. Religions, 13(6), 560. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13060560

Sezgin, Y. (2023). A global and historical exploration: Legislative reform in Muslim family laws in Muslim-majority versus Muslim-minority countries. Law and Policy, 45(2), 110–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/lapo.12210

Statham, P. (2016). How ordinary people view Muslim group rights in Britain, the Netherlands, France and Germany: significant ‘gaps’ between majorities and Muslims? Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 42(2), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1082288

Stimpson, B., & Calvert, I. (2021). Qur’anic educational philosophy: Foundational principles of education in Islam’s holiest text. Religions, 12(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12020082

Sultanik, D., Japeri, J., Taufan, M., & Efendi, E. (2022). Implementing Character Values to Learners in Didikan Subuh Program. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 1(1), 68–79. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v1i1.110

Syarnubi, S., Syarifuddin, A., & Sukirman, S. (2023). Curriculum Design for the Islamic Religious Education Study Program in the Era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 15(4), 6333–6341. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v15i4.3421

Tuna, M. H. (2022). The professionalisation of Islamic religious education teachers. British Journal of Religious Education, 44(2), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2021.1999905

Ummah, A. K., Mahmudi, M. B., Wardani, A. Z., & Ummah, A. K. (n.d.). Efforts of Dormitory Supervisors in Overcoming Problems in the Quran Memorization Dormitory. Journal of Theory and Research Memorization Quran, 1(1), 1–14.

Usman, M., & Ab Rahman, A. (2023). Funding higher education through waqf: a lesson from Malaysia. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 39(1), 107–125. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-12-2021-0217

Utari, U., Soraya, S., & Wulandari, Y. (2024). The gradual Islamisation of teacher education: Current trends and future implications in global inclusive education policy. Journal on Islamic Studies, 1(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.35335/zhpdm826

Valdeolmillos, N. A. A., Boussaa, D., & Madandola, M. (2024). The historic city of Benghazi in Libya: Towards a holistic post-conflict reconstruction. Journal of Urban Affairs, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2024.2419059

Downloads

Published

2024-03-28

How to Cite

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Sarianto, D., Ayad, N., Rahman, A., Febriani, A., Oktavia, G., Guspita, R., & Rahman, I. (2024). Analysis of Quran Education Problems in Majority Muslim Countries. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 3(1), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v3i1.209

Issue

Section

Articles